Top line
A gesture that billionaire Elon Musk made at President Donald Trump’s inauguration has sparked a divided reaction from politicians and viewers, with several European officials and Democratic members of Congress accusing Musk of performing a Nazi salute, while Elon Musk called Nazi comparisons “dirty tricks.” »
Musk raised his outstretched right arm twice while addressing the crowd at Trump’s inaugural rally … (+)
Key facts
During a speech at Trump’s inaugural event on Monday, Musk thumped his fist to his chest and extended his right arm in the air twice before saying, “My heart goes out to you.” »
german chancellor Olaf Scholz– who last week criticized Elon Musk’s support for European far-right parties – said Tuesday at the World Economic Forum that Musk has the right to freedom of speech, but “what we do not accept, it’s whether it supports far-right positions,” according to a journalist. Scholz asked about Musk’s gesture, although he did not directly address his gesture or specify whether he thought it was a Nazi salute.
Yolanda DiazSpanish Minister of Labor and Social Economy, announced that she would leave Karl Lauterbach said in a tweet that Musk’s move “must worry all Democrats.”
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDN.Y., said Musk gave a “Heil Hitler salute” that was “performed and rehearsed for emphasis and clarity,” while Representative Jerry NadlerDN.Y., called it a “heinous gesture”.
Ruth Ben Ghiatprofessor at New York University specializing in fascism, called Musk’s gesture a “Nazi salute – and also very belligerent.”
Musk only alluded to the controversy in posts about “Everyone is Hitler” attack is so tired,” while criticizing Scholz. as “Oaf Schitz” and declaring that Ocasio-Cortez “100% lost it.”
The Anti-Defamation League, a non-governmental organization that fights anti-Semitism, defended Musk in an article on both parties to “give to each other”. a little grace.
Contra
Beyond the ADL, some Musk defenders have claimed that his gesture’s resemblance to a Nazi salute was accidental. Journalist Batya Ungar-Sargon said on Conservative media personality Charlie Kirk said Musk “says his heart goes out to patriots,” so he “beats his chest and waves to the crowd,” alleging that critics are “hungry for controversy and racism.”
Chief Critics
Ocasio-Cortez, who criticized Musk’s move, also criticized the ADL, accusing the organization of “advocating the Heil Hitler salute” and urged people to stop listening to the organization as “all kinds of trustworthy source of information.
What is a “sieg Heil” greeting?
The “Sieg Heil” salute, performed by extending the outstretched right arm, was used as a greeting in Nazi Germany. “Sieg Heil” is a Nazi slogan that translates to “hail victory.” The salute had previously been adopted by the Italian National Fascist Party under Benito Mussolini, and is believed to have its roots in ancient Rome. Use of the Nazi salute is illegal in Germany and Austria, and the salute can be prosecuted as hate speech in some other European countries.
Forbes Rating
Musk was worth about $426.7 billion as of Tuesday, making him the world’s richest person ahead of Jeff Bezos by a margin of about $185 billion. Musk is the co-founder of several companies and holds a 12% stake in Tesla and 42% in SpaceX. Musk became increasingly political and vocal in right-wing politics after his 2022 takeover of Twitter, which he renamed X, and became a key ally of Trump. He donated more than $200 million to help Trump get elected and he heads the new Department of Government Effectiveness.
Further reading
Germany’s Scholz responds to Musk, saying free speech should not support the far right (Reuters)
German leader says Musk’s support for European far-right is ‘completely unacceptable’ (Associated Press)
